Fixture Repair in Sedalia, CO: Toilets, Faucets, Sinks, Tubs and Showers

Toilet repair: running, weak flush and clogs

A toilet has few moving parts, and most problems trace to one of them. A toilet that runs on after flushing usually has a flapper that no longer seals, a fill valve that does not shut off, or a chain that is too long or too short. A weak flush often comes from a partly blocked rim, a low water level in the tank or a partial clog in the trap. A wobbly toilet or a puddle at the base points to a worn wax ring or loose closet bolts.

If a clog keeps returning or several fixtures drain slowly at once, the problem is in the line rather than the toilet, and the clearing a recurring clog covers that case. Stop flushing a clogged toilet before it overflows, and close the supply valve at the wall if the bowl is rising.

Faucet repair and replacement

A dripping faucet wastes water and wears the fixture. The cause depends on the design. Compression faucets use washers and seats, cartridge and ball faucets use a replaceable internal part, and ceramic disc faucets use a sealed cartridge. A plumber identifies the type, replaces the worn parts and checks the fixture and its supply lines. When a faucet is corroded, pitted or no longer supported with parts, replacing it is the sensible choice.

Before replacing a faucet, a few facts decide whether the new one will fit and work.

• The number of mounting holes in the sink or counter.
• The length and condition of the supply lines and the shutoff valves under the sink.
• Whether a sprayer, a soap dispenser or a filter tap shares the same deck.
• Whether the sink material, such as stone or composite, limits drilling.

New faucets come in a range of styles, and the plumber can install a model you supply or help you choose one. Check the number of mounting holes on your sink, since the faucet must match. Installation includes new supply lines when the old ones are stiff or brittle, a pressure check at the aerator and a test for leaks underneath.

Bathroom sinks and vanities

Bathroom sinks fail in familiar ways. The pop-up stopper sticks, the drain runs slowly because hair collects in the trap, the faucet drips, or the vanity cabinet is damp from a supply line or the trap. A plumber cleans the trap, replaces the stopper assembly and replaces worn supply lines and valves. If a vanity cabinet has been wet for a while, check the floor of the cabinet for softness, because water that has soaked in can damage the wood and grow mold. Replace a sink or vanity top when the basin is cracked or the bowl no longer drains properly.

Shutoff valves, supply lines and the rest of the wet space

The small parts under a sink and behind a toilet, the angle stops and braided supply lines, are among the most common failure points, and simple to replace before they fail. A shutoff valve that is stuck, seeping at the stem or green with corrosion should be replaced so that you can isolate the fixture in an emergency. Plumbers also hook up washers, dishwashers and ice makers, install bidets and bidet seats on the cold supply, and fit outdoor hose bibs. In cold weather, disconnect hoses and shut off an outdoor faucet's interior valve where there is one, since the county's 36 inch frost depth is a reminder that freezing is a real risk here.

Plumbing for a bath or kitchen remodel, a basement bath, a laundry room, a wet bar or an accessory dwelling unit comes down to rough-in work, which puts supply and drain lines in the walls and floor before fixtures are set. Specialty work such as a tub-to-shower conversion, a toilet relocation or a dual-flush toilet follows the same rule, with the plumber moving or replacing supply and drain lines and leaving the carpentry and tile to others. This page covers the plumbing in wet spaces only, not the construction around them.